Linking Rhetorical Sensitivity With the Ability of an Athletic Training Student to Succesfully Perform a Patient Medical Interview

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which the self-reported rhetorical sensitivity of a sample of athletic training students is positively related to successfully performing a patient medical interview. Particularly, the study focused on if athletic training students' reported communication behaviors is related to their ability to communicate effectively during a patient evaluation. Thirty-nine senior undergraduate athletic training students from seven accredited athletic training education programs in the central part of the Midwest participated. The students answered a questionnaire that measured rhetorical sensitivity. Next, they performed a patient medical interview on a standardized patient. Athletic training students were instructed to gather important medical information, perform a clinical examination and discuss possible findings with the standardized patient. The patient medical interview provided the researcher an opportunity to observe and rate the athletic training students' communication behaviors. Plus, the patient medical interview gave a chance for the standardized patient to rate her satisfaction with the patient care provided by the athletic training student. The study found that the athletic training students have moderate levels of self-reported rhetorical sensitivity and that they met expectations of successfully performing a patient medical interview. The results indicated a relationship between self-reported rhetorical sensitivity and observed effective communication behaviors during a patient medical interview. However, the results did not indicate a significant correlation between self-reported rhetorical sensitivity and standardized patient satisfaction. In conclusion, the results of this study support the necessity for including communication skills training for athletic training students.